New Delhi: In a major diplomatic success for India, France on Friday decided to impose sanctions on Pakistan-based terrorist and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar “at the national level by freezing his assets in application of the Monetary and Financial Code”.
Pointing out that “a joint decree of the (French) ministries of the interior, and economy and finance was published today in the Official Gazette”, France also declared that it would “raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree”. Proclaiming that it “always been and always will be by India’s side in the fight against terrorism”, France made it clear that it had undertaken the action after the Pulwama terror attack last month that was carried out by the JeM.
The move comes within two days of China vetoing a proposal at the UN Security Council to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. That proposal had been moved by France, along with the United States and Britain. Friday’s action by France is also being seen as a clear snub to China, which is Pakistan’s all-weather benefactor.
In a joint statement put out by its foreign, finance and interior ministries, the French government said: “A deadly attack took place in Pulwama on 14th February 2019, claiming over 40 victims from the Indian police forces. The Jaish-e-Mohammed, which the United Nations has deemed to be a terrorist organisation since 2001, has claimed responsibility for this attack. France has always been and always will be by India’s side in the fight against terrorism.”
The statement added: “France has decided to sanction Masood Azhar at the national level by freezing his assets in application of the Monetary and Financial Code. A joint decree of the ministries of the interior, and economy and finance was published today in the Official Gazette. We will raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree.”
